****Disclaimer!!! Sailor Moon and all her friends aren't mine! The characters that are not originally from the SM universe are mine, but that's not many. ****

~ Sailor Moon Longings - Part 2~

"Do you think she will ever come back?" Minako asked softly as she and the rest slowly made their way to school. It was a question that weighed heavily on each mind. It was a question they all thought would never be answered.

"I don't care if she never comes back," Raye said harshly causing the other senshi to turn and stare at her, eyes wide with shock and mouths gaping open.

"Raye, you can't mean that?" Ami said.

"And why not? She was a coward for even considering leaving. She was a coward for never telling us what was wrong when we asked her. She was a coward for turning her back on the scouts. She was a coward for turning her back on her friends. Now tell me, do I mean it?" Raye's question remained unanswered. They all thought the same at one point, but they never voiced it. Raye was right; they were without a friend and a leader.

"We've been through so much as friends. I am not going to turn my back on her as a friend and fellow scout. There is always a reason for everything. There has to be a reason for this," Minako said firmly with a slight nod. She watched as the others, all but Raye, nod in return. They had to stay positive about this. The rest of the walk to school was silent, each alone with their own thoughts. They turned the corner and slowly made their way up the large stairway to the school's doors.

"There has to be a logical explanation for her actions and why she did this," Ami said finally, very determined to make them all feel better about the situation. The others just hoped she was right.

~*~*~*~

Usagi was awoken the next morning by the soft sweet song of the birds outside her window. The sun filtered through the soft sheer curtains, dancing about in the gentle spring breeze. Usagi closed her eyes for a moment to forget everything that was going on. To have a moment of sweet peace was all she was looking for. She sighed as she once more opened her eyes, wishing for the most part that she could remain in that peace. But there was much ahead of her and once again she was longing for her mother's guidance and wisdom.

It had been years since the Moon Kingdom had been rebuilt. After the Negamoon family was defeated and their minions destroyed, it wasn't long before thoughts turned to rebuilding the Moon Kingdom. A promise to her mother long ago, when the worlds were at peace the Kingdom was to be rebuilt. And it was, Usagi saw to that.

This was now her most cherished retreat, returning for visits here and there. Never staying for a real stay, just long enough to see over rebuilding and the matters of the Kingdom. And she always made sure to return to Earth the same day, before she was missed. This was the one time that she actually stayed from a visit. She knew the others would eventually figure out where she went to, but for the moment she knew she would be alone here.

Usagi sat up slowly in her bed, swinging her feet over the side of the bed, her feet touching the cool stone floor. She quickly found her slippers and slipped them on, welcoming the sudden warmth. She stood and walked slowly to her balcony as she had done each morning upon her arrival, her satin nightgown floating about her as she walked.

She leaned against the railing and looked out upon the garden below, the fountains bubbling gently below. Her thoughts once more fluttered to her friends and what they would be doing right now. They would all be in classes and when they had breaks in between, their conversations would float to the top of her and her disappearance. But Usagi knew it wasn't time yet. She still needed time to sort out her feelings and thoughts. She needed time to be alone and find out what she really wanted. She would tell them when the time was right. Or at least that's what she hoped...As long as she kept telling herself that she would eventually tell them, which meant that she would, right?

She shook the thought from her mind and placed a smile on her face. Today was going to be a good day no matter what. In fact, today she was going to take a long ride through the country and enjoy the sun. It has been awhile since she rode Alia, her beautiful white mare. Yes...today was going to be a good day, even if she had to force it to be.

**I just want to thank those who read and reveiwed. Keep them coming! I will try to update on a more regular basis. If you want to know when I update, leave your email address in your reveiw!**